§ 40132. National strategic plan for aviation workforce development

§ 40132. National strategic plan for aviation workforce development

(a) In General.— Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary of Transportation shall, in consultation with other Federal agencies and the Cooperative Aviation Recruitment, Enrichment, and Employment Readiness Council (in this section referred to as the “CAREER Council”) established in subsection (c), establish and maintain a national strategic plan to improve recruitment, hiring, and retention and address projected challenges in the civil aviation workforce, including—

(1) any short-term, medium-term, and long-term workforce challenges relevant to the economy, workforce readiness, and priorities of the United States aviation sector;

(2) any existing or projected workforce shortages; and

(3) any workforce situation or condition that warrants special attention by the Federal Government.

(b) Requirements.— The national strategic plan described in subsection (a) shall—

(1) take into account the activities and accomplishments of all Federal agencies that are related to carrying out such plan;

(2) include recommendations for carrying out such plan; and

(3) project and identify, on an annual basis, aviation workforce challenges, including any applicable workforce shortages.

(c) Career Council.—

(1) Establishment.— Not later than September 30, 2025, the Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator, shall establish a council comprised of individuals with expertise in the civil aviation industry to—

(A) assist with developing and maintaining the national strategic plan described in subsection (a); and

(B) provide advice to the Secretary, as appropriate, relating to the CAREER Program established under section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, including as such advice relates to program administration and grant application selection, and support the development of performance metrics regarding the quality and outcomes of the Program.

(2) Appointment.— The CAREER Council shall be appointed by the Secretary from candidates nominated by national associations representing various sectors of the aviation industry, including—

(A) commercial aviation;

(B) general aviation;

(C) aviation labor organizations, including collective bargaining representatives of Federal Aviation Administration aviation safety inspectors, aviation safety engineers, and air traffic controllers;

(D) aviation maintenance, repair, and overhaul;

(E) aviation manufacturers; and

(F) unmanned aviation.

(3) Term.— Each council member appointed by the Secretary under paragraph (2) shall serve a term of 2 years.

(d) Nondelegation.— The Secretary may not delegate any of the authorities or responsibilities under this section to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

(Added Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 441(a), May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1184.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 625 of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), is section 625 of Pub. L. 115–254, which is set out as a note under section 40101 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Pilot Program To Provide Veterans With Pilot Training Services

Pub. L. 118–63, title IV, § 418, May 16, 2024, 138 Stat. 1162, provided that: “(a) In General.—The Secretary [of Transportation], in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, shall establish a pilot program to provide grants to eligible entities to provide pilot training activities and related education to support a pathway for veterans to become commercial aviators. “(b) Eligible Entity.—In this section, the term ‘eligible entity’ means a pilot school or provisional pilot school that—“(1) holds an Air Agency Certificate under part 141 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations; and “(2) has an established employment pathway with at least 1 air carrier operating under part 121 or 135 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. “(c) Priority Application.—In selecting eligible entities under this section, the Secretary shall prioritize eligible entities that meet the following criteria:“(1) An eligible entity accredited (as defined in section 61.1 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations) by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education. “(2) An eligible entity that holds a letter of authorization issued in accordance with section 61.169 of title 14, Code of Federal Regulations. “(d) Use of Funds.—Amounts from a grant received by an eligible entity under the pilot program established under subsection (a) shall be used for the following:“(1) Administrative costs related to implementation of the program described in subsection (a) not to exceed 5 percent of the amount awarded. “(2) To provide guidance and pilot training services, including tuition and flight training fees for veterans enrolled with an eligible entity, to support such veterans in obtaining any of the following pilot certificates and ratings:“(A) Private pilot certificate with airplane single-engine or multi-engine ratings. “(B) Instrument rating. “(C) Commercial pilot certificate with airplane single-engine or multi-engine ratings. “(D) Multi-engine rating. “(E) Certificated flight instructor single-engine certificate, if applicable to the degree sought. “(F) Certificated flight instructor multi-engine certificate, if applicable to the degree sought. “(G) Certificated flight instructor instrument certificate, if applicable to the degree sought. “(3) To provide educational materials, training materials, and equipment to support pilot training activities and related education for veterans enrolled with the eligible entity. “(4) To provide periodic reports to the Secretary on use of the grant funds, including documentation of training completion of the certificates and ratings described in subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (2). “(e) Award Amount Limit.—An award granted to an eligible entity shall not exceed more than $750,000 in any given fiscal year. “(f) Appropriations.—To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2028.”

Aviation Workforce Development Programs